- Quartus: (Greek: Kouartos) was aChristian who sent greetings to friends in Rome through Paul of Tarsus (Rom.16:23).According to church tradition, he is known as Quartus of Berytus and is numbered among the Seventy Disciples. He was Bishop of Beirut and suffered for the faith. He converted many to the Christian faith. His feast day is (4th October every year) is observed by Roman Catholics.
Quartus was born in the city of Athens, and was one of its wealthy and learned nobles. He believed in the Lord Christ and served him. Having received the grace of the Comforter on the day of Pentecost, he preached the life giving Gospel in many countries. He entered the city of Magnis and preached there. The people of the city believed, he baptized them and taught them the life giving Commandments. Then he returned to Athens, to preach there also. As Athens was a city of idols, gods and goddesses, the religious people stoned him and tortured him severely. Finally they cast him into the fire; thus, he received the crown of martyrdom.
The final benediction: (16:25-27):
This is the apostle Paul’s longest closing benediction which is a complete statement in itself.
The God without whom, nothing is wise, He is beyond human comprehension. All Christians are established by the Gospel where in there is divine plan of salvation. The Gospel reflects the ‘mystery’ which was hidden for long ages, even the angels long to look into it which is nothing but God’s program of uniting believing Jews and Gentiles in one body, the church. This is also Paul’s special message, for which he had to face the persecution at every situation at the hands of Jewish Judaizers because they did not want the privileges of Jews to be extended to believing Gentiles. Now this greatest mystery is revealed through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God. This Gospel comes with great propriety, because Christ alone is the fountain of wisdom and knowledge and all this mystery is in Himself. He alone knew the times, places, persons and circumstances. But through Christ all this is revealed in such a way to manifest His great and unsearchable wisdom and His infinite goodness, so that all nations would believe and obey Him. the Lord Jesus Christ alone is worthy to receive all glory, honour and power for ever and ever
The book of Romans explains from the beginning to the end, the greatness and glory of this greatest plan of God which was hidden for ages. Paul preached this as the greatest good news.
A few questions to answer before we close:
- As a believer, if we are to write to a church which was not visited by you earlier, how would you address the members and encourage them?
- Are we following the customs of our country at the time of greeting men and women? If not are we behaving like foreigners? (16:16)
- Do we give greetings by name only to the important members or all the members of great and small?
- How can we explain the “mystery” the greatest plan of God in simple words to make it easy for people to understand so that all people would obey and glorify God.
Bibliography:
- NIV Life application Bible.
- ESV Study Bible
- Ryrie study Bible.
- NIV Study Bible.
- Bible Knowledge Commentary/Old Testament.
- The Bible Exposition Commentary by Warren W. Wiersbe
- Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary.
- Adam Clarke’s Commentary
- Wycliffe Bible commentary.
- Mathew Henry conscise.
- Blue letter Bible by David Guzik.
- Unlocking the Bible by David Pawson.
- The outline Bible by Harold L Willmington.
Note: Please use this notes only as an outline, but spend more time studying the Word of God. For your questions please contact,
K. Ravikumar, Mob: +918986873994, Email: katiravikumar@gmail.com